Middlesex plead poverty over Essex fixtures but close to signing Henry Brooks

Henry Brookes celebrates taking the wicket of Joe Root in the County Championship. Photo: Getty Images/Stu Forster

Middlesex are closing in on promising fast bowler Henry Brookes despite their financial situation being so dire that they have scheduled two matches in Essex next season.

Middlesex have announced their schedule for 2024 season: two T20 matches will be played at the county ground in Chelmsford — home of their Essex rivals — when they cannot play at Lord's.

They attributed the decision to the club's financial difficulties (it had lost 952 £000 in 2021), which, along with long-term mismanagement, led to the England and Wales Cricket Board demanding oversight of the club's finances and imposing a spending plan.

Middlesex are tenants of Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord's, where they play most of their home matches. Due to international cricket, they cannot play all their matches at Lord's, so they have always had a few grounds when needed — club grounds that are well-equipped to host first-class cricket, such as Radlett's School and Merchant Taylors.

The costs of setting up the site — temporary stands, marquees, food and drink, and the labor to put it all together — are significant, and all three non-Lord's Middlesex venues at next year's Blast are located a long distance apart , meaning that they cannot use the same capabilities twice. So rather than incur these costs, they decided to play at Chelmsford against Kent (31 May) and Gloucestershire (31 July). They play Hampshire at Radlett on July 6, but the ground will be used again by Sunrisers the following day in the women's regional competition.

It is understood the club believe the two matches will be played in Chelmsford, where they will pay for hosting — will save six figures.

Middlesex chief executive Andrew Cornish described it as «an opportunity for us to make a significant financial contribution to the club and that's just what we're doing.» I can’t ignore.”

He added: “The cost of building away stadium infrastructure is a significant commitment that the club has historically had to factor into our financial model each year – and this has become increasingly visible in recent seasons thanks to the improvements we have made to the member experience at the away stadium.

“As we continue to scrutinize all the costs the club incurs, stadium costs stand out as an area where we could have a significant positive impact.”

At the same time, however, Middlesex are close to making their second significant player signing of the winter.

Brooks, 24, has long been considered one of the most promising fast bowlers on the circuit and after Warwickshire agreed release him from his contract early, indicated that Middlesex was his preferred destination. Despite their relegation and significant interest from First Division sides, he is in the final stages of agreeing a long-term deal.

The emergence of a young three-format, genuine fast bowler, despite a difficult season, represents a real coup for Richard Johnson and his coaching team.

It really is. understood that signing Brooks would not result in Middlesex breaching any conditions imposed on them by the ECB.

Middlesex had already added Derbyshire's Leus du Plooy to their ranks, although their balance sheets had been balanced by the retirement of Tim Murtagh. (who is now the club's coach) and the departure of another experienced and well-paid player, John Simpson, to Sussex.